How to Be a Restaurant Evaluator
Everyone enjoys a night out ever now and then. What better way to do it than to have someone else pay for it? That is the joy of being a Restaurant Evaluator. From fast food to first class restaurants, Restaurant Evaluators are needed. Sound good? You bet. How do you get started in this lucrative and fun field, though?
First of all, do not pay to do it. I mean, you do not need to pay for a ‘listing’ of available restaurants that need Restaurant Evaluators. There are firms out there online that convince you that this needs to be done. They claim to have the restaurant evaluator jobs only through them. And, you need to pay a fee to get the list of them. Do not do this.
Simply go online and visit a website called www.volition.com. Here, you will find a wealth of information on how to become involved in various fields anonymously. There is a listing broken down by category and alphabetical order. Simply enter each site you are interested in and complete their online application. It is as easy as that. It takes time to enter the information, but you will reap the results. Some results take longer than others, some not. Some Restaurant Evaluating assignments are given within a week, others six months. Some restaurant evaluators are in cognito and some are not. You will know beforehand whether your assignment is one or the other. As you can see, all the details vary according to company specifications.
If your restaurant evaluation is done incognito, many fast food chains are looking for your type of service. They want to know how their customer service is operating. Your feedback provides them with this. You judge the quality of the food, the packaging, and the order taking process. Call your favorite restaurant fast food chain and ask if they are seeking any restaurant evaluators. You may be surprised at how many are. Again, each restaurant is different and has different guidelines to follow.
Some restaurant evaluator positions pay you to dine in the establishment incognito, critique the food quality, atmosphere, and customer service. Then the Restaurant Evaluator and/or mystery shopper presents the employees and manager with certificates of achievement. These evaluations are considered ‘revealed’.
If you think that becoming a Restaurant Evaluator is easy�think again. Each assignment involves a test to determine your readiness to prepare the evaluation. For instance, some facilities require you record the time of entering the facility, time of order, time of food delivery, and time of exiting the facility. Plus, you need to know all the names of various personnel you are evaluating. You need to know what the employee was doing when you entered the facility, how you were greeted and served, and if you were thanked upon exiting the site. Your evaluation must be detail-oriented in order to be accepted by your client. Each client has specific criteria that must be met by the Restaurant Evaluator before payment is made.
Which reminds me, being a Restaurant Evaluator usually means being reimbursed for your dining experience. Rarely, if at all, are funds fronted to you to make your initial purchase. If that is of a concern to you, restaurant evaluating is not for you. Some reimbursements are made within two weeks, while others are up to two-three months. Again, payment schedules vary according to the company.
Another way to find clients to restaurant evaluate and/or mystery shop is by checking with your local publications. Usually each one has a ‘dining section’. These dining sections include critiques of local eateries and are written by restaurant evaluators. Some offer a barter of you writing an article while receiving a free meal. Even though there is no cash received, you are paid in food. J
A recent restaurant evaluation customer was found by spotting a ‘classified ad’ on one of their napkins. During a lunch excursion, it was a pleasant and unique surprise. They simply stated they were looking for restaurant evaluators and to go online to their site and apply. The first restaurant evaluation offer came within two weeks.
Another way to find assignments as a Restaurant Evaluator or mystery shopper is to network and discreetly let others know your business. Only by contacting the upper management of local restaurants will you find out whether they have that need or not. Do not broadcast to the general public about your availability, since your anonymity is required on most occasions.
Sometimes eateries broadcast on television that they are seeking restaurant evaluators or mystery shoppers. Listen for this. There currently is an international espresso shop doing this promotion, as an example.
Try calling your local restaurants and talk to the owner. Ask them if they are in need of any Restaurant Evaluators or mystery shoppers, while also stating your background. If they do not need an Evaluator, ask if they know any restaurant or eatery that does. Word of mouth referral is the best way to do business. This means you received a referral from one owner, to call another. Tell them who referred you.
Pick up publications/newsletters of eateries at your local chamber of commerces. Publications are also found in grocery stores and information bins. Call the owner and inquire about becoming a Restaurant Evaluator. All they can say is “no”.
With the cost of fuel being what it is, one must check whether it is worth the trip. However, by keeping a travel/mileage log of your restaurant evaluations, you can get a year end tax deduction. Mileage is a necessity of your independent contractor position. You are an independent Restaurant Evaluator/mystery shopper who needs to keep all the necessary documents and financial information for tax purposes.
As you gain more experience in the Restaurant Evaluating/Mystery Shopping field, prepare a resume. Sometimes eateries and restaurants will ask for one, other times they will not. It always is best to be prepared, though.
In short, it is nice to be able to enjoy a high quality meal or fast meal while taking note of your surroundings any time. It is even nicer when someone else pays for it. Enjoy!
Be aware that some call Restaurant Evaluators Mystery Shoppers.
